I expect commercialization... it is a pro sporting event after all. But did you not see The Big Chill at the Big House outdoor hockey game in which we sold our souls for a box of Arby's curly fries? Arby's was crammed down our throats. From the Arby's logo above the Big Chill logo to even putting the Arby's logo on the game uniform patch (including on the replica jerseys sold at M-Den!) and the big box of Arby's curly fries mascot infesting Yost Ice Arena.

The NHL has its work cut out for them if they want to go more overboard commercializing an outdoor game than Michigan did with Arby's.

"Too much commercialization" has already happened. Look at your football ticket prices and compare them to fifteen years ago. Have operating costs really gone up that much? The obvious answer is, "no."

The Michigan "Brand" is "on," and this is just the beginning. Renting out the stadium for other events is just good business sense. They should try a major concert on a Saturday or Sunday in the summer, too. I think it would also be great if the Lions ever got good and played a home game there once a year.

In another three or four years, you will see tons of ads inside of the Big House as the AD continues his campaign to "maximize revenue." You might as well get a few more entertaining events to go with them.

It'll be interesting to see how many seats they can fill. I'm saying there's no way in hell that they sell out, especially if they're planning on putting in extra seats closer to the rink. If the game did sell out, that would be incredible.

I agree with pasadena below about the price of tickets, but if they're priced right, Wings vs. anyone, including the Windsor Spitfires, will sell out. And no, I don't mean they have to be $2 a pop for that, either.

There were tickets to be had, they weren't all used, and the Stadium wasn't completely full.

But the difference is they were sold really cheap, and sold to the people who regularly fill the Stadium 8 of the previous 12 weeks before it. And it was a first time (and "one time") event. Now, not so much.

Considering the Wings can't even sell out playoff games, if they don't make the prices dirt cheap, they won't come close to filling it up. Because the primary fanbase that fills up the Stadium will be doing something else January 1...watching Michigan football. Most Michigan Stadium fans aren't going to buy tickets to the Red Wings...a lot aren't from Detroit, don't have any interest in hockey, or aren't going to want to want to resell something at a loss when they KNOW there will a big likelihood that Michigan will be playing then. The Canadian contingent will help, but how many are going to travel for a "bowl game"?

Sometimes I think hockey fans confuse the high passion in the fans with high interest. Michigan Hockey fills a tiny arena. It filled a huge one not for the hockey team, but with football fans who had similar interests. It won't be Idaho Potato Bowl empty, but selling out unless they're giving away seats is going to be tough.

My only real reservation about this idea is the fact that it is on New Years Day, and if we make it to the Rose Bowl–or any New Years Day bowl game—there's a shot a lot of people from Ann Arbor who bought tickets would not go, especially if there is a time conflict between the football and hockey games.

Apart from that I'd love to see the Wings play an Original 6 team in the Big House .

they take the Michigan Football possibility into consideration and play the Winter Classic UTL on New Years Eve. I would love to spend New Years Eve in AA with an outdoor hockey game. If they play it on New Years Day I won't even watch it let alone attend. College football is number one. In my mind, HockeyTown only applies to the playoffs.

What's to consider? The same issue applies to playing the game at Comerica Park... the reality is this is a metro area where college football means a great deal to a lot of people that is uniquely blessed with two local teams likely to be playing on NYD next season. There's no way to schedule around that regardless of location.

When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler

What? How is college football relevant to an NHL game? For the vast majority of the population (aside from people like us who spend their time on Michigan message boards), the world does not revolve around Michigan football....

taking NYD bowl game into consideration will happen. the match up should not be Det/Chi, it already happened in Chi-Town. Time for another Det rival to be showcased by the NHL in the Winter Classic. Toronto and Montreal make the most sense and would draw the best.

my only concern is how much red is going to be worn into the stadium that day. the home team should never wear any shade of red at the Big House. perhaps mr. illitch and DB will brain storm for a maize-n-blue wings sweater...calling all creative uniform concept artists...

that state south-east of Meechigan should be leveled and turned into a parking lot.

Meh, I'm fine with red being worn in Michigan Stadium if it's Red Wings red. Don't mess with the jerseys, they are too awesome. Although I wouldn't mind if they brought back the jerseys we used in the winter classic the first time.